Subject: Mixed metaphors

Mixed metaphors:

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. A mixed metaphor is the use of two or more unrelated metaphors that are incongruous or illogical when combined. Here are some mixed metaphors we’ve seen and heard.

Too long they’ve been gettin’ the short end of the totem pole.

television character, All In the Family (Carroll O’Connor)

That was a dialog we started down.

Fiddling with his guitar

It's like ice cold electricity passing through your body.

Rattle some feathers.

You hit the nail right on the nose.

He's been burning the midnight oil at both ends.

English sports commentator

As much fun as shooting monkeys in a barrel.

I've got an ace up my nose.

They cut into a water main, and it was gushing like a mountain.

Wood fires help fuel climate change.

This is a real cat and carrot situation.

English football player, manager & sports commentator

Theres no grass burning under this project.

What you need is somebody new… there's more than one fish in the woodpile.

television character, All In the Family (Carroll O’Connor)

While we are ingesting the author's valuable insights, we may also be swallowing his blind spots.

In about six months I'll be knocking on your shoulder.

Fewer and fewer in between

Players' names should be entered in numeric order.

The squeeky wheel gets the worm.

Some people sail through life on a bed of roses like a knife slicing through butter.

As long as that dog hunts, we’ll ride him,